Albania Protests Enter Fifth Day: Over 1,000 Arrests as Chaos Grips Tirana

Albania faced a fifth day of mass protests on Saturday, with police firing plastic bullets at demonstrators in Tirana, marking a major escalation in unrest demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation. Over 1,000 people have been arrested. The protests, fueled by anger over corruption, unemployment, and low education standards, have turned violent, with demonstrators setting fires and throwing stones. Police have responded with tear gas and water cannons, and seven officers face disciplinary investigations for excessive force. The unrest is the biggest challenge yet to Rama's rule. The demonstrations have spread to other cities, including Korca, Vlora, and Lezha, with damage to public buildings. The protests follow months of peaceful demonstrations against a luxury tourism project backed by Jared Kushner, and Albania's religious leaders have called for peace and national dialogue.